Wisconsin Rapids gained 12 hits and are 3-0 against Kalamazoo

Wisconsin Rapids, WI – The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (29-32) won their third matchup against the Kalamazoo Growlers (23-38) this season, by a score of 4-2 on a Monday evening at Witter Field.

Four runs were scored in the first inning. Kalamazoo got their only two runs and two of six total hits, in their first two-at bats, with a single and then a home run to go up 2-0.

The Rafters responded with three hits in the bottom half of the first. Kyle Teel (Virginia) brought home Couper Cornblum (Wichita State) with a groundout, and Ben Swords (Webster) delivered an RBI single to center field to knot up the score.

The second through sixth innings saw no runs and a combined 11 runners on base.

Rafters’ starter Will Haberstock (North Alabama) went two through four, striking out six batters. Cole Eigenhuis (Sacramento City CC) struck out two Growlers in a 13 pitch fifth. Hunter Waldis (Seton Hall) started his outing in the sixth with a 1-2-3 inning.

Wisconsin Rapids led off the seventh with runners on the corners. EJ Exposito (Long Island) increased his team lead in runs batted in to 34, with a go-ahead RBI single. In the eighth, Couper Cornblum doubled, stole third, and scored on a fielder’s choice.

Hunter Waldis had his longest outing of the season, finishing the game and earning the win. The right-hander struck out seven, a season-high, and only allowed three baserunners through four scoreless innings.

“It is a different mindset when you go longer,” said Waldis “The most important thing always is throwing strikes and getting outs.”

Tomorrow is the Major League Dream Showcase, where the Rafters will be represented by Zack Bennett (Central Florida), Brayden Bonner (Dixie State), Caden Favors (Wichita State), and Nathan Hemmerling (Lakeland) in La Crosse, WI.

The Rafters faceoff against the Growlers for the fourth and final time in 2021, Wednesday, August 4th. First pitch is at 6:35 p.m, with coverage on WFHR AM 1320 and the Northwoods League Baseball Network.

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The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Having completed its’ 27^th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 22 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, over 250 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and MLB Gold Glove finalist and 2019 Second Team All-MLB shortstop Marcus Semien (TOR). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit www.raftersbaseball.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Rafters as your favorite team